Wrapping machine for flexible articles



Jan. 13, 1953 F. c. CRESCENZO 2,624,994

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 11, 1951 5Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR hulk/562605505020 BY dyalwfia ATTORN EYS Jan.13, 1953 F. CRESCENZO WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Filed Jan.11, 1951 Jan. 13, 1953 F. c. CRESCENZO WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLEARTICLES 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed Jan. 11, 1951 Jan. 13, 1953 F. c.CRESCENZO 2,624,994

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 11,, 1951 s shee tssheet 4 I Emu/s 6'. (R556 [#20 ATTORNEYS ?atented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITEDSTATES ATENT ()FFICE WRAPPING MACHINE FOR FLEXIBLE ARTICLES ApplicationJanuary 11, 1951, Serial No. 205,590

. 8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improvement in machines for wrappingrelatively thin flexible articles such as decorated shelf paper, foldedpaper table cloths, table mats, and similar articles.

The principal and general object of the invention is the provision of a'machine for the purpose which will enclose objects of the abovecharacter in a wrapper and seal the wrapper in a rapid and efiicientmanner without damage to the article in its passage through the wrappingand sealing instrumentalitics.

A more specific object is the provision in a machine of this characterof improved wrapping and sealing instrumentalities capable of operatingon relatively thin' flexible articles at high speed to produce a uniformpackage without wrinkling or otherwise damaging the article or wrapper.

A further specific object is the provision of means for advancing thearticles in the course of the wrapping and sealing operations, whichwill cooperate with the wrapping and sealing instrumentalities tomaintain the article fiat and in register with the wrapper during theoperation of the machine.

Other and further objects relating to details of construction will bemade apparent in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the infeed end of the machine,partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the'central portion of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the discharge end of the machine; 7

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5-5of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4; I V

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view of the'trirnming mechanismsubstantially on line l''? of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 6,showing the action of the package feed control cam. v

As shown inFig; 1, flat thin" articles a are fed into themachinef'in anysuitable manner as by a constantly driven conveyor l'carrying aplurality ofpu er w i hadva pe t arti l over uide. i s- 3 ani n c. a ieerator. generally in i t ate, when'the latterisinits-lowerposition,shown in dotted lines. The elevator is formed in rear andforwardsections 5 and 6 supported on the upper ends of respectivevertical slides i and 8, moving in bearings It. Elevators of this typeare well known and a detailed description thereof is believedunnecessary, other than to say that the slides l and 8 are reciprocatedby respective levers H and i2, so timed that the two sections arealigned in the lower position and moved together to their upper positionbut, as shown in Fig. l, the rear section 5 retreats in advance ofsection 6 to permit the rear wrapper fold to be made as later referredto. I

As the articles are raised by the elevator they encounter a wrapper wwhich is fed into the path of the article in any suitable manner as bybelts l3 and friction wheels Hi.

The article and wrapper are elevated to the level of the table [5, therear and forward exten sionsof the wrapper being bent downwardly byengagement with stationary folders l6 and H.

The rear elevator section 5 isthen lowered as shown in full line in Fig.1 and a rear folder blade I8 is advanced to fold the downwardlyextending rear wrapper extension beneath the article. The folder bladeis connected by a link 2i.) to one end of a lever 2| which is actuatedby a cam; not shown, to reciprocate the folder blade. Upon completion ofthe rear fold by blade IB-a. pusher 22 is advanced to move the articleand wrapper from the elevator onto the table, the downwardly extendingforward extension ofthe Wrapper being folded beneath the article andinto overlapping relation with the rear fold as the article passes overthe edge of the table. The pusher 22 is carried at the forward end of aslide 23 which is connected by a link 24 to a lever 25 which is actuatedby a cam, not shown, to reciprocate the pusher 22 in timed relation withthe blade l8 and the elevator. I

The blade i8, elevator section B, and the adjacent portion of table 15are grooved as at 26 to receive fingers 27 extending downwardly from thepusher 22. As the package is advanced by the pusher 22, it is held inplace by overly'ing spring mounted plates 29 carried by bars 30' and"spaced to permit'passage of fingers 21. I Bars 30 are suspended by rods3| from a bridge member 32 sup ported at the sidesof the table.

The pusher 22 advances to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1,leaving the package with its rear portion resting on a portion of thetable whichicarries a heater which acts to heat seal theioverl'apping,por'tionsof the rear and forward under-folds ofthe wrapper. As shown inFig. 1,

the forward portion of the package freely overlies a constantlytraveling belt which passes around a rear idle pulley 36 and a forwardpulley 31 (Fig. 3) secured to a shaft 38 which is constantly driven, aslater described. The package is pressed against the heated table surfaceby the spring plates 29 with sufiicient firmness so that the belt 35does not advance the package. After an interval sufficient to effect thesealing of the underfolds, the upper surface of the forward edge portionof the package is engaged, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, by onepair of a series of pairs of continuously traveling pulling fingers 39,which press the package against the belt 35 and, with the belt, draw thepackage forwardly.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the fingers 39, which arepreferably formed of rubber or other yielding anti-friction material,are fixed in transverse bars 40 which are connected by arms M to pivotshafts 42. The shafts 42 are connected at 43 to a normally constantlytraveling chain 44 trained around a rear sprocket 45 (Fig. 1) and aforward sprocket 45, Fig. 3, the latter sprocket being fixed to a shaft41 which is driven as later described. The ends of the pivot shafts 42are provided with wheels 48 which ride on upper tracks 50 through theupper run of the chain and in lower tracks 5| through the lower run ofthe chain. Tracks 50 and 5I are formed in side plates 52 which aresupported at their rear ends by cross rods 53 mounted in standards 54,and at their forward ends by cross rods 55 and shaft 41, mounted inframe brackets 56.

As shown in Fig. 1 and at the right in Fig. 4, the arms are providedwith extensions 51 which carry cam rolls 58. The extensions terminate instop members 59 which are normally held in engagement with cross rods60, fixed to the chain 44, by springs 6| connected between pins 63 and64 carried respectively by rods and cross member 65 extending betweenthe arms 4|. Rods 60 carry guide wheels 66 which travel on tracks 505Iadvance of wheels 48. As the arms round the rear sprocket 45 (Fig. 1),the cam rolls 58 engage cams 81 which are adjustably supported by bolts68 extending through slots 69 in side plates 52. The earns 61 swing arms4I upwardly as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and maintain them in raisedposition until the arms reach the dotted line position in the latterfigure, when rolls 58 run off of the cams permitting the fingers 39 toengage the forward edge portions of the package under the action ofspring 6| to press the package against the belt 35 and .pull the articleforwardly as previously described.

Any tendency of the chain 44 to buckle under the pull of springs BI isresisted by a center rail 10, which is bolted to the rods 1I (Figs. 4and 8), and beneath which the chain 44 rides. The belt 35 runs overspaced longitudinally directed bars 12, Fig. 6, which rest on a plate 13supported on suitable cross members 14 extending between side framemembers generally indicated at 15.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the sides of the article extendoutwardly at each side of the belt 35. The side edge portions of thepackage ride on stationary bars 16 which are supported by brackets 11from the frame members 15. Upper bars 18 are carried by pins 19 whichextend through brackets 80, carried by the frame members 15, springs 8|pressing the bars lightly against the article.

As the partially wrapped article is drawn forwardly, the portions of thewrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article are engagedbetween pairs of crimping rolls, Figs. 2, 4 and 6, positioned atopposite sides of the path of the article. The upper crimping roll 83 ofeach pair is mounted on the inner end of a short shaft 84 journaled in ayoke 85 pivotally mounted in brackets 88 carried by frame members orcarriages 81. The carriages 81 are slidably mounted on shafts 89 and 89journaled in brackets 90 (Fig. 4) carried by the machine frame. Thelower crimping rolls 9| are splined on shaft 88 to which are alsosplined gears 92 which mesh with gears 93 fixed on the outer ends of theshort shafts 84 which carry the upper crimping rolls. The members 81 areprovided with vertical pins 95 which extend through the yokes 85.Springs 98 surround the pins 95 and are compressed between the yokes andwashers 91, held on the pins by nuts 98, to yieldingly press the uppercrimping rolls against the lower crimping rolls. Shaft 88 carries asprocket 99 driven by a chain I00 from a sprocket IOI secured to aconstantly rotating, power driven shaft I92, later described.

The lower crimping rolls rotate in contact with blocks I03 carried bymembers 81 and heated by any suitable electrical heating units asindicated at I05. The lower heating rolls are thus maintained at atemperature to heat seal the wrapper extensions together as they arecrimped. The upper crimping rolls operate through opening I08 (Figs. 6and 8) formed in shoes I01 which press the upper and lower wrapperextensions together as they pass between the crimping rolls.

The crimping of the side extensions of the wrapper tends to shorten theextensions longitudinally with the result that the wrapper tends toshift slightly over the face of the article. To permit this adjustmentto take place uniformly and without wrinkling, the pulling fingers areraised to permit the package to be advanced freely by the crimpingrolls. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 8, as the wrapper extensions areengaged by the crimping rolls, the cam rolls 58 engage fixed cams I08which raise the fingers clear of the package, thus releasing the packagefrom the pull of the fingers and belt 35. The cams I08 are supported atthe ends of crossbars I09 which are carried by a longitudinal bar III!which is adjustably secured to rail 10 by bolts II I extending throughslots I I2 in the bar I Ill. The adjustable mounting of cams I08 and ofcams 61 previously described permit the timing of the operation of thecams to be shifted to accommodate packages of different longitudinalextent.

In order to secure a neat appearance the rotary cutters II5 are mountedforwardly of the crimping rolls and positioned to trim the sidewisewrapper extension adjacent the outer edge of the crimped zone of theextensions. As best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and '1, the cutters II5 areadjustably fixed at IIS on sleeve II1 which are splined at I I8 to theshaft 89 and journaled in suitable anti-friction bearings H9 in theframe members 81. The cutters II5 act against platen rolls I20 betweenwhich the wrapper extensions are initially advanced by the crimpingrolls. Just before the articles leave the crimping rolls, the pullfingers are released by cams I08 to again draw the article forwardly.The platen rolls I20 are mounted by means of anti-friction bearings I 2I(Fig. '1) on the ends of studs I22 pivoted at I23 in frame members 81.Screws I 24 hearing against the studs I22 intermediate their pivots andthe platen rolls, adjustably hold the platen rolls in operative relationwith the cutters. The relative transverse position of the platens andcutters is established by adjusting the cutters on their sleeves H1. Theframe members 31, and the crimpers and cutters carried thereby, may bemoved toward and from each other on the supporting shafts 88 and 89, towhich they are splined, by a shaft I reversely threaded, as atv I2-6, atits opposite ends in the adjacent frame members 81. By rotation of shaftI25 the cutter and crimper assemblies may be adjusted to accommodatearticles of different width. For convenience, and as shown, theadjusting rotation of shaft I25 is effected by a chain I28 passingaround sprockets I29 and I30 carried respectively by shafts I25 and ashaft I3I (Fig. 3), later referred to, and which carries a hand WheelI32. Cutter shaft 89 is constantly driven by a chain I33 passing aroundsprockets I 34 and I35 carried byshafts 89 and I02 respectively.

From the cutters the articles are drawn between side folders I38', Figs.2 and 4, which are adjustably secured by brackets I39 to posts I40carried by side frame members MI. The rear ends of side frame membersI4I are adjustably bolted at I42 to the frame members 81 and at theirforward ends are supported by shaft I36 secured at its ends in. framebrackets I31, Figs. 3 and 4. The ends of shaft I3I are reverselythreaded, as indicated at I44 in Fig. 5, in the forward ends of framemembers I4I so that the latter with the parts carried thereby may beadjusted toward and from each other simultaneously with frame members81, the frame members 8! and I 4| making up the side members previouslygenerally referred to as 75. The folders I38 by their engagement withthe wrapper extensions fold the extensions downwardly at right angles tothe plane of the articles. Continued movement of the articles brings thedownwardly folded extensions into engagement with folders I43 which foldthe wrapper extensions beneath the article and against the under sidethereof. The folders I43 are secured by brackets I to the frame membersI4I.

Forwardly of the folder I43 suitable heating members, indicated at I46,Figs. 3 and 5,, are pro w vided to seal the underfolded wrapperextensions to the under face of the package.

The completely wrapped and sealed articles are discharged onto asuitable conveyor such as belt I41 trained around a pulley I48 fixed toa shaft I49.

The shaft 4''! from which chain 44 is driven is provided with a sprocketI50 connected by a sprocket chain I5I to a sprocket I52 fixed to one endof a cross shaft I53, Figs. 3 and 5, the opposite end of which carries asprocket I54. A sprocket chain I55 passes over sprocket I54, an idlertightening sprocket I55, a sprocket I51 on shaft I49, 3, sprocket I58 onshaft 38 and around a sprocket I59 (Fig. 2) on shaft I02 which is drivenby a chain I (Fig. 1) from shaft I66 driven by an electric motor orother source of power, not shown. Chain 44 is driven at the same linealspeed as, belt 35. Previously mentioned conveyor I is constantly drivenfrom sprocket I61 fixed to the shaft I66.

Preferably, additional pressure is applied to the underturned edges ofthe wrapper. For this purpose, see Figs. 3 and 5, arms IBI pivoted onpins I62 are provided with rolls I 63 which ride on the packages as thelatter are discharged from the machine.

As the forward edge of the articles reaches the end of belt 35, thefingers 39 are raised, to

release the articles, by cams i'68,,1 igs.3 and 5, which are engaged bythe cam rolls 58 previously described. The cams I69 are secured to theside plates 52.

The above described arrangement of a constantly traveling belt andpulling fingers between which the forward edge of the articles aregripped in combination with means for releasing the pulling fingersduring the time the articles are under the control of the crimpingfingers makes possible the wrapping of extremely thin articles. Further,such arrangement with the arrangement by which the articles are heldclosely adjacent the side edges at which the crimping, trimming andfolding operations take place makes possible the wrapping of articleswhich are not only extremely thin, but also extremely limp and flexible.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means tofold a Wrapper around an article to leave portions of the wrapperextending outwardly from the sides of the article; constantly travelingmeans to releasably clamp the forward edge portion of the article topull the article forwardly, constantly driven crimping rolls at the sideof the path of movement of the article and positioned to engage the saidextendin portions of the wrapper between them and means to release thearticle from said clamping means during the period that the wrapperextensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freelyadvance the article during the crimping operation.

2. In a machine for wrapping thin fiat articles which includes means tofold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions ofthe wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article;constantly traveling clamping means to releasably clamp the forward edgeportion of the article to pull the article forwardly, crimping rolls atthe side of the path of movement of the article and positioned to engagethe said extending portions of the article between them, means to heatsaid crimping rolls, means acting on said clamping means to release thearticle therefrom as the wrapper extensions enter the crimping rolls,means to drive the crimping rolls to advance the article andsimultaneously crimp the upper and lower portions of the wrapperextensions together, and' means, acting on said clamping means to causethe latter to again clamp the forward edge portion of the article as thewrapper extensions are released by the crimping rolls.

3. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means tofold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions ofthe wrapper extending outwardly from the. sides of the article;constantly traveling means including means to releasably clamp theforward edge portion of the article to said constantly traveling meansto pull the article forwardly, crimping rolls at the side of the path ofmovement of the article and positioned to engage the said extendingportions of the article between them, means to heat said crimping rolls,means acting on said clamping means to release the article from saidconstantly traveling means as the wrapper extensions enter the crimpingrolls, means to drive the crimping rolls to advance the article andsimultaneously crimp the upper and lower portions of the wrapperextensions together, means forwardly of the crimping rolls to trim theedge portions of the crimped wrapper extensions to predetermined width,and means acting on said clamping means to again olampthe forward edgeportion of the article to said constantly traveling means as the wrapperextensions are released by the crimping rolls.

4. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means tofold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions ofthe wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article, aconstantly traveling belt, means to advance the forward edge portion ofthe sopartially wrapped article into overlying relation with said belt,means to press the forward edge portion of the article into clampedengagement with said belt to draw the article forwardly, constantlydriven pairs of crimping rolls spaced from the side of the belt and inthe path of said extending portion of the wrapper, means to release thearticle from the belt during the passage of the wrapper extensionsthrough the crimping rolls, means to trim the crimped wrapper extensionsto predetermined width, and means to fold the trimmed wrapper extensionsagainst one face of the article.

5. In a machine for wrapping thin fiat articles which includes means tofold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions ofthe wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; a foldingchannel, an endless belt extending longitudinally of the foldingchannel, the upper run of said belt forming the floor of said channel,means to constantly drive said belt, means to advance the forward edgeportion of successive, so-partially wrapped articles into overlyingrelation with said belt, an endless chain conveyor positioned above thebelt, means to constantly drive said conveyor at the same lineal speedas the belt, and a series of spaced spring pressed fingers carried bythe chain and positioned to engage with the said forwardly advanced edgeportion only of the articles presented to the belt to clamp said portionof the articles to the belt to pull the articles through the foldingchannel.

6. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means tofold a wrapper around :an article to leave upper and lower portions ofthe Wrapper extending outwardly from the sides -.of the article; afolding channel, an endless belt (extending longitudinally of thefolding channel, the upper run of said belt forming the floor of saidchannel, means to constantly drive said belt, means to advance theforward edge portion of successive, so-partially wrapped articles intooverlying relation with said belt, an endless chain conveyor positionedabove the belt, means to constantly drive said conveyor at the samelineal speed as the belt, a series of spaced spring pressed fingerscarried by the chain and engageable with the said forward edge portionof the articles presented to the belt to clamp the articles to the beltto pull the articles through the folding channel, two pairs of crimpingrolls positioned one pair at each side of the folding channel andpositioned in the path of the said extending portions of the wrapper toreceive said extending portions between them, means to heat one roll ofeach pair,

means to constantly drive said crimping rolls, and cam means to raisesaid fingers from the articles during the period that the wrapperextensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freelyadvance the article during the crimping operation.

7. In a machine for wrapping thin flat articles which includes means tofold a wrapper around an article to leave upper and lower portions ofthe wrapper extending outwardly from the sides of the article; a foldingchannel, an endless belt extending longitudinally of the foldingchannel, the upper run of said belt forming the floor of said channel,means to constantly drive said belt, means to advance the forward edgeportion of successive, so-partially' wrapped articles into overlyingrelation with said belt, an endless chain conveyor positioned above thebelt, means to constantly drive said conveyor at the same lineal speedas the belt, a series of spaced spring pressed fingers carried by thechain and engageable with the said forward edge portion of the articlespresented to the belt to clamp the articles to the belt to pull thearticlesthrough the folding channel, two pairs of crimping rollspositioned one pair at each side of the folding channel and positionedin the path of the said extending portions of the wrapper to receivesaid extending portions'between them, means to heat one roll of eachpair, means to constantly drive said crimping rolls, cam means to raisesaid fingers from the articles during the period that the wrapperextensions are between the crimping rolls to permit the latter to freelyadvance the article during the crimping operation, stationary folderspositioned at the sides of the channel to fold the crimped wrapperextension against one face of the article, and means intermediate thecrimping rolls and said stationary folders to trim the edge portions ofthe crimped wrapper extensions to predetermined width.

8. In a wrapping machine which includes means to fold a wrapper aroundan article to leave portions of the wrapper extending outwardly from thesides of the article; a constantly traveling conveyor, means carried bythe conveyor for releasably engaging the article to move it forwardly,constantly driven crimping rolls at the sides of the path of movement ofthe article and positioned to engage the said extending portions of thewrapper between them, and means to release said article engaging meansduring the period that the wrapper extensions are between the crimpingrolls to permit the latter to freely advance the article during thecrimping operation.

FRANCIS C. CRESCENZO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 996,187 Wilson June 2'7, 19112,283,097 Sandberg May 12, 1942

